Chained up for weeks in house of horrors, but things were jollier at Christmas

David and Louise Turpin sat within touching distance as the voice of their 17-year-old daughter played out around a California court room.

“My parents are abusive,” the frightened voice said.

“I’ve never been out. I don’t go out much.”

The girl was worried for her siblings.

“They are chained up to their beds.”

9-1-1 that raised the alarm about the California house of horrors has played out in court 'my parents are abusive, my siblings are chained up' said the 17-year-old daughter of the Turpins. AAP (Supplied)

The recorded 9-1-1 call began the preliminary hearing for Mr and Mrs Turpin who plead not guilty to dozens of charges including torture, false imprisonment, cruelty and lewd acts on a child.

The call, by the 17-year-old, was the start of a new day for the 13 siblings, some of whom didn’t understand the role of police officers when they showed up at the house in response to the call.

Investigators have shared brutal details of life inside the Turpin’s Californian home that was raided on January 14, and has since become known as the ‘house of horrors.’

The eldest of the children weighed just 38kgs when found.

Preliminary hearing has been held today, to decide if David and Louise will face trial for the torture, cruelty, and imprisonment of their 13 children . AAP (AAP)Investigators told court today, the children were chained for weeks at a time, released only for food and the toilet. AAP (AAP)The children would go eight months without a bath, the court was told. AAP (AAP)

According to interviews with the children, a strict set of rules kept 12 of the 13 children locked in their room for 20 hours a day.

They could do little else but write in journals.

Punishments ranged from pinching and hair pulling through to choking, the investigators said.

Regularly the children were chained to their beds.

Recounting the interview of a 22-year-old discovered chained to his bed, investigator Tom Salsbury described children being chained for weeks at a time, only released to use the toilet or to eat twice a day.

The pair sat in court and listened to Investigator Tom Salsbury describe how their kids were only released to use the toilet and eat, twice a day. (AAP) (AAP)

“It was extremely hard,” said Salsbury.

“Hard for him [the 22-year-old] to sleep, move, roll-over or itch the lice on his head or scratch his back.”

Investigators said the children would go more than eight months without a bath.

“Because it smelled so bad there were often times she couldn’t breathe,” Dept. Sheriff Manuel Campos said, recalling his interview with the 17-year-old that raised the alarm.

Investigators recounted how the 17-year-old told them she was punished once for listening to a Justin Bieber song.

David and Louise Turpin were arrested on January 14th after their 13 children were found starving and chained up in their California home. (AAP) (AAP)

“Mother choked her,” Dept. Sheriff Campos recounted.

“She choked her and said hateful things... do you want to die? Yes, yes you do. You want to die and need to go to hell.”

Investigators say older children were made hall monitors to prevent their siblings stealing food.

Through their interviews, the children described each meal as a peanut butter or baloney sandwich, frozen burrito and chips.

Investigators told the court the children would eat meals one at a time while standing at the kitchen bench before returning to their rules.

Defence lawyers recounted times the children were given pizza before “money became tight”.

At Christmas though, the children described a much happier house.

Investigators have shared in court brutal details of life inside the Turpin's Californian home that has come to be known as the 'house of horrors'. (AAP) (AAP)At Christmas, it was a 'happier' time, siblings were let out of their chains, children told police. AAP (Supplied)

“Siblings would be let out of the chains,” Dept. Sheriff Campos said.

“Siblings would play games.”

Investigators said Christmas would last between two days and two weeks.

Jack Osborn a lawyer appointed to represent the seven adult children says they have participated in music therapy programs, made crafts and had world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma play a special concert for them. They’ve also communicated with their younger siblings over Skype.